WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 hard to overlook the popularity of the macaron.
It inspires runway shows and is featured in photo shoots for fashion labels, cosmetic brands and jewelry lines. Its presence litters Instagram and Pinterest, and fans brave long lines and pay top-dollar to sink their teeth into the colorful confection.
And pretty soon, D.C. will be home to the world鈥檚 most famous macaron: that of .
The popular French bakery first opened its doors on Rue Royale in Paris 150 years ago and guided the macaron into the spotlight in the 1930s. But 尝补诲耻谤茅别 is credited with more than its sweets. Its tearoom 鈥� a combination of a patisserie and a cafe 鈥� broke down societal norms. 聽
鈥淸The opening of the tearoom] was really the first time in the history of Paris that men and women could meet together in public,鈥� said Elisabeth Holder, whose family bought the 尝补诲耻谤茅别 brand 25 years ago.
Before that, women were not admitted into the city鈥檚 male-only cafes, but the tearoom was a place open to everyone.
鈥淪o there are lots of love and lovers stories about it, so it鈥檚 really French, it鈥檚 really very Paris,鈥� said Holder, the owner and co-CEO of 尝补诲耻谤茅别 U.S.
Since the Holder family took over 尝补诲耻谤茅别, it has grown from the original shop in Paris to 100 locations around the world. As its iconic tearooms spread, so did the macaron鈥檚 fame.
鈥淚t鈥檚 happiness actually,鈥� Holder said, when asked to describe the light sandwich-like cookie that鈥檚 made from egg whites, sugar and almond powder, and聽stuffed with flavored fillings.聽
鈥淚nside, you can play with anything you want 鈥� you can have jam, you can have chocolate ganache, we have one with marshmallow.鈥�
尝补诲耻谤茅别 sells several different varieties of macarons and shakes up its menu monthly with seasonal additions that vary by location. (D.C.鈥檚 shop will have a cherry blossom macaron.) But the most popular flavors are the most common: chocolate, vanilla, pistachio and caramel.
And while many praise the pastry for its crunchy, airy texture and slightly sweet taste, fans of the macaron can鈥檛 help but love its look.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like the supermodel of food,鈥� Holder said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very beautiful; it鈥檚 got a round shape so it鈥檚 very feminine. It鈥檚 super photogenic 鈥� I think it matches with everything.鈥�
This spring, 尝补诲耻谤茅别 is opening two storefronts in D.C.: a boutique and restaurant in Georgetown and a smaller location inside Union Station. The brand鈥檚 other U.S. destinations include shops in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
鈥淸D.C.] is like a European city, actually, so we feel a little bit at home,鈥� Holder said.
Both local locations will offer more than macarons. Georgetown鈥檚 full menu includes everything from breakfast omelets and toasts, to lunch options of salads, sandwiches and entrees, to classic French pastries and cocktails.
Union Station鈥檚 尝补诲耻谤茅别 outpost will cater to the traveler with a to-go menu of finger sandwiches, salads, juices and ice cream.
Each will bring a little taste of Paris to the nation鈥檚 capital.
鈥淚 think [尝补诲耻谤茅别] is part of the heritage of Paris,鈥� Holder said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really like you go to the Eiffel Tower and you go to 尝补诲耻谤茅别. It鈥檚 part of Paris.鈥�
No opening date is set for 尝补诲耻谤茅别, but 草莓传媒 is told it will be 鈥渧ery soon.鈥� Hours for the Georgetown location are Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Union Station will open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
